The CAX is calling on the SA government and the Department of Home
Affairs to immediately close the Lindela detention centre as it failed
to respect the humanity of foreign nationals at the same time relax
some immigration laws and border controls as they contributed to
xenophobic tendencies.
Deputy President Mbete has according to CAX some shares in the Dyambu
Trust that runs Lindela. Dyambu Trust is being accused by CAX in its
statement for abusing foreign nationals.
"The Human Rights Commission found in 1999 that "employees of the
private company Dyambu Trust extort money from detainees under a wide
variety of circumstances. These circumstances requiring money in order
to allow access of family and friends to the facility" read part of the
CAX statement.
Mbete and company are paid R1.5 million a month for services they offer
to the Department of Home Affairs at Lindela Repatriation Centre. Other
high ranking officials with stakes in the Dyambu Trust are ANC Women’s
League boss Nomvula Mokonyane, Adelaide Tambo wife of the late Oliver
Tambo and Lindiwe Maseko.
Currently Dyambu Trust operating under the name Bosasa is still being
accused of rights abuses and from 2005 over hundred Lindela detainees
died in the camp for reasons ranging from the use of poisonous
substances and beatings.
"As the Zimbabwe Youth Network we are worried by the behaviour that is
being exhibited by the country’s deputy president for being a co-owner
according to the report of the organization allegedly killing
foreigners at Lindela.
"Its high time the SA government became more honest, pragmatic and
humane enough when dealing with foreign nationals as they preached the
message of anti xenophobia on one end on the other making millions of
rand for detaining foreigners they allegedly sympathise with.,"
lamented Munjodzi Mutandiri of Zimbabwe Youth Network.
The National Constitutional Assembly has urged SA political and
governmental leadership to put human life ahead of monetary gains as
expressed by some big wigs in the country.
By Trust Matsilele